The Big Chill: Islamists Inted [sic] to Muzzle Americans' Free Speech
TOWNHALL.COM: Freedom of speech is under attack. Let us count the ways.

The first and most obvious: Those who criticize militant Islamists – from novelist Salman Rushdie to Danish cartoonists to memoirist Ayaan Hirsi Ali – are routinely threatened with deadly violence. It would be black humor to say this is having a chilling effect.

The second is “political correctness.” On campuses and within Western governments it is increasingly taboo to label terrorists who slaughter in the name of Islam “Islamist terrorists.” In Canada, “human rights commissions” attempt to enforce this taboo by putting such writers as Mark Steyn and Ezra Levant on trial for the “crime” of expressing opinions that offend Islamic grievance groups — and also for quoting Islamists accurately and thereby casting them in an unfavorable light. If that’s not Orwellian, what is?

But it is the third approach that could be most consequential for Americans. It’s known as “libel tourism” and here’s how it works: A book published in the United States names an individual abroad who supports terrorist groups. That individual – for the sake of discussion, let’s say he’s a Saudi petro-billionaire with a home in London -- goes online and orders a few copies which arrive in the mail. He takes those books to a British attorney who files a lawsuit complaining that his client has been libeled.

The billionaire knows it will be much easier to prevail in the U.K. than it would be in an American court where the First Amendment and decades of case law provide free speech protections. (Under English law, by contrast, the burden in a libel case is on the defendant to prove his innocence – which can be impossible if he’s been using confidential sources or even just sources who don’t want to cross an ocean and take part in a courtroom battle.)

The legal costs are chump change for the billionaire, while few non-fiction writers command similar resources. If the writer chooses not to spend months living in a hotel and fighting it out in court, the case will be forfeit and he will be hit with a “default judgment.” If he doesn’t pay, he’ll never again be able to set foot in the U.K. and other countries that enforce British court judgments. The Big Chill: Islamists Inted [sic] to Muzzle Americans' Free Speech >>> By Cliff May | August 28, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
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Schmalz to the Left of Me, Tough Talk to the Right; I’m Stuck in the Middle with You
…by the mid-summer of 1914 more than a decade of belligerent erraticism by German leaders, who lacked the diplomatic skill and self-restraint of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, contributed to the feeling among Germany’s neighbours that there were bounds which she should not be permitted to cross. Hence, a regional Balkan conflict involving Germany’s ally Austria-Hungary and a Serbia supported by her Russian patron rapidly escalated first into a continental and then a general world war. - Michael Burleigh, The Third Reich: A New History

Does this sound familiar? Change some names of countries, and it should. The conflict between Georgia and Russia, now a regional conflict, could easily escalate into a European, and then a world conflict. We’ve been here before. At no other time since the end of World War II has the world been so close to another world war. We should not kid ourselves that we are not living through dangerous times. With the Russian invasion of Georgia, the world became a far more dangerous place. Alas, there is war in the air!

Dmitry Medvedev, the president of Russia, has already stated, loud and clear, that he is not frightened by the thought of another cold war. I think we can assume, also, that he would not be frightened by the thought of a little more than that: World conflict, perhaps? Make no mistake about it: Russia is very rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas; and it wants to re-establish its pre-eminent place in the world of geopolitics. The downfall of the Soviet Union was a humiliation for Russia. It weakened the country, the proud people of Russia beyond anything we could have inagined. There is no doubt about the fact that Russia has felt marginalized ever since; and Medvedev and Putin are out to correct that. Their intention is clear to see: They want to make Russia a force to be reckoned with – again.

It is therefore very important that Western politicians find the right and appropriate response to their actions. A reaction that is too weak, and we lose; a reaction that is too strong, and the world could yet again become a very ugly place.

It is hard for us all to imagine a world war. Things have been very comfortable for Westerners ever since the 50s. Most people living today are far too young to know anything of the privations of a world conflict. It is quite unimaginable to most people. But this does not mean to say that another world war will not happen.

We have all heard it said, ‘never again shall we be dragged into a world war’. ‘Not in our lifetime.’ But that phrase is only meaningful if each side feels the same about a world conflict. It is so obviously not the case. The Russians are clearly not as timid as Westerners when it comes to military action. Their position in the world seems to be far more important to them than the pursuit of world peace.

It seems that not enough has been done since the fall of communism to bring Russia on side. America and Russia should be partners in world politics, not adversaries. Were these two great countries to be partners, we would not be where we are now.

Alas, the conflict in Georgia has happened at a time when the West is very weak. The US, after many years of conflict in the Middle East, can hardly afford another war. It’s on its uppers as things stand. Imagine what another costly war would do for the economy. Especially a world war.

Moreover, it’s election year; and there is more than a chance that the Americans will elect a president to the White House who has little experience of foreign affairs. Obama therefore hardly inspires confidence at a time when Russia is sabre-rattling. Would Obama really be strong enough to cope with a major conflict with Russia?

From what I can see of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, it has been pure, unadulterated schmalz. Touchy-feely to the limit! Check out the schmalz here and here. What the Russian leaders must be thinking when they see such naïve displays of devotion to an untested politician, one can only imagine!

These are tough times; and tough times call for strong leadership, especially from the United States – the leader of the free world. How would Obama react if the world went to war? What experience could he bring to the table?

One has to ask oneself one simple question: Does the American electorate have any idea of the dangers that lie ahead of us? Are all these people ready to elect Obama because he has charisma, because they may perceive him to be good-looking? Don’t they want more from their leader than that? Doesn’t the free world need more than that?

The problems we face from Islam, too, are formidable. And they haven’t gone away. Indeed, the problems we now face with Russia have compounded the problems we face with Islam, since Russia has strong connexions with both Syria and Iran, and those connexions are getting stronger.

There has been much talk for a very long time of the possibility of bombing Iran if it doesn’t abandon its nuclear programme, which they say is peaceful, but which the West insists is not. Bombing Iran and destroying its nuclear installations just got a whole lot more difficult for the Americans to do. Indeed, it could be said that that ship has already left the harbour, for Russia is almost bound to come to the aid of Iran if it is attacked, if only covertly through Syria,

And if Israel were to attack Iran? What would be the outcome? Your guess is as good as mine, but such an action would almost certainly be a huge danger to world peace, stability and security.

We can see the fault lines being drawn with each passing day. We really cannot afford to sleepwalk into a world conflict. Only today, Miliband has urged tough action against Russia in response to its aggression against Georgia. But where is the capability going to come from? Europe is weak militarily. There has been gross undespending on the Europeans’ militaries for decades now. If Europe is to talk tough with the Russians, then it has to have the military might to back up its tough talk. It clearly doesn’t have strong militaries. The UK doesn’t either; the armed forces in the UK have been underfunded for years. Indeed, it is high time that European governments started spending far more of its money on its militaries. And while they are at it, it might not be a bad thing if they were to re-introduce national conscription. (I can’t believe I wrote that!) It would do a whole lot of good to the rudderless youth we see about the streets. It would also do a great deal to teach our young people some self-respect and discipline. It would also help give them a purpose in life.

With Russia on the move, and determined to reassert its authority, European governments might have little choice but to re-introduce conscription. The soft times, it seems, might well be over. Ahead of us, we have some tough choices to make. Let’s hope that the Americans make a good start in the upcoming election; and show the rest of the West the way forward by making some tough choices, too.

©Mark Alexander

All Rights reserved

Dulden wir die Islamisierung Europas?
WELT ONLINE: Vor wenigen Tagen wurde in Ingelheim eine neue Moschee eingeweiht. Bundestagsabgeordnete und Kirchen applaudierten bei der offiziellen Festveranstaltung. Daran merkt man, wie gering die Kenntnisse über den islamischen Kulturkreis auch nach Jahrzehnten der Zuwanderung inmitten Europas noch sind.

Die in Ingelheim frisch eingeweihte und von Politikern und Kirchenvertretern euphorisch gefeierte Moschee heißt „Fatih-Sultan-Moschee“. Der Name ist wohl nicht „zufällig“ gewählt. Der türkische Sultan Mehmet II. trug den Beinamen „Fatih“ („der Eroberer“). Im Jahre 1453 hat dieser Christenhasser das bis dahin christliche Konstantinopel überrannt, alle Christen zusammentreiben, pfählen und köpfen lassen. Er zerstörte das christliche Byzantinische Reich. Das von ihm angeordnete Blutbad war grauenvoll.

Überall in Europa nennen muslimische Mitbürger heute ihre neu entstehenden Moscheen nach den großen Christenhassern ihrer Geschichte. Viele klatschen, wenn etwa mit immer neuen „Fatih“-Moscheen die Gefühle europäischer Christen mit Füßen getreten werden. Bloß nicht den Islam „beleidigen“. Kämen Christen auf die Idee, eine Basilika etwa nach dem Kreuzfahrer Gottfried von Bouillon zu benennen? Dulden wir die Islamisierung Europas? >>> Von Udo Ulfkotte

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Medwedjews neue Freunde: China und Zentralasien
DIE PRESSE: Der russische Präsident beschwört auf dem "Shanghaier Gipfel" die Freundschaft zu Staaten wie China, Tadschikistan und Kirgistan. Die umstritten Anerkennung von Südossetien und Abchasien kam allerdings nicht zur Sprache.

In seinem Konflikt mit Georgien sieht Russland China und die Ex-Sowjetrepubliken Zentralasiens auf seiner Seite. Beim Gipfeltreffen der "Shanghaier Organisation für Zusammenarbeit" (SCO) in Tadschikistan dankte Präsident Dmitrij Medwedjew am Donnerstag den Partnerstaaten für "ihr Verständnis und die objektive Bewertung des von Russland unternommenen Friedenseinsatzes" im Südkaukasus. Von der am Dienstag erfolgten Anerkennung der Unabhängigkeit Abchasiens und Südossetiens durch Moskau war in der gemeinsamen Erklärung der Gipfelteilnehmer allerdings nicht die Rede. Medwedjews neue Freunde: China und Zentralasien >>>

DIE PRESSE:
Europas größtes Pulverfass: die Ukraine: Ist Europas größter Flächenstaat das nächste Opfer des wiedererwachten imperialen Appetits Moskaus? Von Burkhard Bischof | 28.08.2008

LE FIGARO:
Moscou et Kiev font monter 
la tension en mer Noire: L'avenir de la flotte russe basée en Crimée pourrait être une nouvelle source de conflit.

Y aura-t-il une seconde guerre de Crimée ? Le nationalisme russe de Vladimir Poutine va-t-il entrer en conflit avec les pays de l'Otan, comme l'expansionnisme du tsar Nicolas Ier se heurta militairement, en 1854, à une coalition comprenant la France, l'Empire ottoman et le Royaume-Uni ? C'est en tout cas ce que craignent certains responsables européens. Le commissaire à l'Élargissement, Olli Rehn, a déclaré mercredi que «l'Ukraine pourrait être la prochaine cible des pressions politiques de la Russie».

Et le ministre français des Affaires étrangères, Bernard Kouchner, a dit redouter que la Russie, après l'Ossétie du Sud et l'Abkhazie, ait «d'autres objectifs» en vue, parmi lesquels «la Crimée, l'Ukraine, la Moldavie». >>> D’Isabelle Lasserre | 27.08.2008

THE GUARDIAN:
Putin Claims Georgian Crisis Is US Ploy as Russia's Isolation Grows >>> By Ian Traynor | Europe Editor | August 28, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

European Dhimmi Alert: Swiss Government Opposes minaret Ban ahead of Vote
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: BERN, Switzerland: The Swiss government is opposing an initiative to ban the construction of minarets at Islamic prayer houses in the country.

The Federal Council recommended on Wednesday rejecting the ban when it goes to popular referendum in two months.

The coalition government includes all major political factions except the right-wing Swiss People's Party. It is the strongest in the country and most supportive of the ban.

The government says the proposal violates human rights and the Swiss constitution and would not help combat Islamic fundamentalism.

Supporters of the ban say the minaret is a symbol of Muslim conquest that challenges traditional order in Switzerland.

Many Swiss laws result from referendums. [Source: International Herald Tribune] The Associated press | August 27, 2008

TAGES ANZEIGER:
Minarett-Initiative: Grüne bezweifeln Gültigkeit: Während die Parteien das schnelle bundesrätliche Nein zur Anti-Minarett-Initiative loben, stellen die Grünen deren Gültigkeit in Frage. Sie verstosse klar gegen die Religionsfreiheit, ein Verfassungsrecht >>> | 27. August 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Turmoil at Scotland Yard as Tarique Ghaffur Accuses Sir Ian Blair of Racism

THE TELEGRAPH: Britain's most senior police chief has been accused of being a racist in an unprecedented personal attack by the country's highest-ranking Asian officer.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur went public with a highly damaging legal action against Sir Ian Blair, accusing the Metropolitan Police Commissioner of repeated acts of racial, religious and age discrimination.

The dispute is the latest to undermine Sir Ian's leadership of Britain's largest force.

With Scotland Yard responsible for protecting the country from terrorism, policing the capital and protecting the Government and Royal Family, senior officers fear the dispute will leave the force in a state of near paralysis.

Mr Ghaffur's attack, in a televised press conference, resulted in Sir Ian's deputy, Sir Paul Stephenson, issuing a sharp rebuke and left the impression of a force blighted by in-fighting.

Sir Paul told Mr Ghaffur to "shut up" and get on with what he was paid to do. But the commissioner's position appeared fragile as senior sources admitted Scotland Yard had suffered a "deeply embarrassing, damaging and sad day".

Mr Ghaffur's solicitor, Shahrokh Mireskandari, said Sir Ian's future would hinge on the outcome of the case.

He is particularly vulnerable, with the forthcoming inquest into the fatal shooting of the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes likely to hear stringent criticism of his management of the force.

Should Mr Ghaffur's legal action succeed, it will further intensify the calls for Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, to force Sir Ian out of his job.

David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, has called for the Commissioner to go in the interests of national security and to restore public trust in policing.

The action by Mr Ghaffur, the Met's joint third highest ranking officer, is the first time an officer of such seniority has sued his chief. It plunges the force into its worst racism row since the 1998 Macpherson report branded the force "institutionally racist". Turmoil at Scotland Yard as Tarique Ghaffur Accuses Sir Ian Blair of Racism >>> By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent | August 28, 2008

TIMESONLINE:
Tariq Ghaffur Goes Public with Racism Claims, Laying Bare Civil War at Met Police >>> By Sean O’Neill, Crime Editor | August 28, 2008

THE INDEPENDENT:
Ghaffur blames Met Chief for police discrimination >>> PA | August 28, 2008

MAIL Online:
Spitting in the Face of the Country that Saved Him >>> By Amanda Platell | August 30, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Defending Islam, Hacker Defaces Thousands of Dutch Websites
IT WORLD: WebWereld Netherlands — A 'hacktivist' has hijacked numerous Dutch sites in retaliation for the anti-Islamic short film "Fitna" which was made and released earlier this year by the Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders.

Over the last six weeks an activist hacker by the name of 'nEt^DeViL' has hacked many Dutch Web sites and posted ideological statements on their home pages. Such an attack is known as a website defacement.

The hacked sites feature an embedded YouTube video dubbed "Anti-Fitna", which the hacker states is "[a] Response to the Fitna Movie by 'Geert Wilders' Cow !" "This hax0ring is to defend ISLAM - The Religion of [ Abraham, Moses, Jesus & Muhammad ( Peace Be Upon Them All ) ] that Insulted by a Cow ! from Netherlands !"

Zone-H.org, a website that tracks website defacement attacks worldwide, has documented thousands of compromised websites over the last months. Zone-H reports that 'nEt^DeViL' has hacked 18,157 websites as of Thursday, August 28.

From July 15 on, the hacker specifically targeted sites in The Netherlands, the home country of politician Geert Wilders. A number have since been restored, but numerous others still feature the forcefully injected ideological messages. Defending Islam, Hacker Defaces Thousands of Dutch Websites >>> By Andreas Udo de Haes | August 28, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Danish Publisher Hopes to Publish ‘Inflammatory’ Novel
THE GUARDIAN: A Danish publisher is in negotiations to buy Sherry Jones's novel about the child bride of Muhammad, which was dropped by Random House in America and pulled from bookshops in Serbia.

The Jewel of Medina tells the story of Aisha, one of Muhammad's wives, from the age of six to 18 when Muhammad dies. It was bought by Random House US for a reported advance of $100,000, but then dropped after the publisher was told by academics and security experts that publication was potentially more risky than Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses and the Danish publication of cartoons of Muhammad.

Last week, Serbian publisher BeoBook withdrew 1,000 copies of the book from shops across Serbia, following protests from an Islamic pressure group. BeoBook also apologised for publishing the novel.

Now small Danish publisher Trykkefrihedsselskabets Library (Free Speech Library) is in negotiations with Jones's agent over publication of The Jewel of Medina in Denmark. Co-owner Helle Merete Brix said that the fact that Random House was prepared to pay $100,000 for the book showed its quality, and that she was determined not to "bow to any censorship".

She added: "I think that whether you are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or atheist you have to be able to bear insults. You can't say 'I'm a Muslim, and that means I should be above criticism'. You can freely insult Jesus Christ, you can mock other religions."

Brix said that, following Jyllands-Posten's publication of the cartoons of Muhammad in 2005, which prompted protests across the Muslim world, she felt it was "deep in the mentality of Danish people that we will not tolerate people saying 'you can't say or publish that'…There is a growing awareness in Denmark that we have to keep it the bastion of free speech that it has been for many years." Danish Publisher Hopes to Publish ‘Inflammatory’ Novel >>> | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Denmark)

UK: Man Convicted over Shia Flogging
BBC: A devout Shia Muslim has been convicted of child cruelty after forcing two boys to beat themselves during a religious ceremony, in an unprecedented case.

The jury at Manchester Crown Court found 44-year-old Syed Mustafa Zaidi guilty of two counts of child cruelty.

The boys, aged 13 and 15, were forced to beat themselves with a zanjeer whip, with five curved blades.

Zaidi, of Station Road, Eccles, Salford, also flogged himself during the ceremony in January.

The court heard the boys admit that they had wanted to beat themselves, but not under duress, and not with the curved blade whip.

The teenagers said that they had flogged themselves with a smaller whip from the age of six in Pakistan.

The Ashura ceremony takes place during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates the death of Husayn, a central figure in the Shia faith.

Zaidi admitted he had asked the boys if they wanted to beat themselves and allowed them to use the bladed whip.

He denied his actions were wrong, saying: "This is a part of our religion." Man Convicted over Shia Flogging >>> | August 27, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Miliband Urges Tough Response to Russia
Watch video: The UK foreign secretary has called on the EU to initiate "hard-headed engagement" with Russia in response to its actions in Georgia >>>
BBC: UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called on the EU and Nato to initiate "hard-headed engagement" with Russia in response to its actions in Georgia.

In a speech in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, he urged them to bolster their allies, re-balance the energy relationship with Russia and defend international law.

Mr Miliband also warned the Russian president not to start a new Cold War.

His visit came a day after Dmitry Medvedev recognised the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions.

Earlier, Ukraine's president said it was a hostage in a war waged by Russia against countries in the old Soviet bloc. UK Urges Tough Response to Russia >>> | August 27, 2008

BBC:
Russia Faces Fresh Condemnation >>> | August 27, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Georgia: Europe United to Condemn Kremlin: David Miliband joined a chorus of Western leaders to condemn Russia, accusing the Kremlin of jeopardising European security by recognising Georgia's two breakaway regions.

The rhetorical salvoes showed the new strain on relations with Russia. For its part, the Kremlin said it had only defended its citizens in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, argued the decision had been "unavoidable".

Speaking in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, the Foreign Secretary said that Russia was "more isolated, less trusted and less respected" as a result of its actions in Georgia. These breached a United Nations Resolution, approved by Moscow last April, which reaffirmed Georgia's sovereignty over Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Mr Miliband placed the onus for avoiding a new Cold War firmly on President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia. "The Russian President says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want a new Cold War. He has a big responsibility not to start one," he said.

Comparing Russia's actions to the Prague Spring of 1968, when Moscow suppressed a reformist Czech government, Mr Miliband said: "The sight of Russian tanks in a neighbouring country on the 40th anniversary of the crushing of the Prague Spring has shown that the temptations of power politics remain. The old sores and divisions fester. And Russia is not yet reconciled to the new map of this region."

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's foreign minister, issued a stark warning. "If we don't watch out, Europe's whole security architecture will start to falter with unforeseeable consequences for all of us. The spiral of provocation must stop immediately," he said.

France, which holds the European Union's rotating presidency, expressed concern that Moscow, emboldened by its military success in Georgia, could turn on other former Soviet republics with breakaway provinces and large Russian minorities.
Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, described the situation as "very dangerous" and said: "There are other objectives that one can suppose are objectives for Russia, in particular the Crimea, Ukraine and Moldova." >>> By Con Coughlin in Kiev, Adrian Blomfield in Tbilisi and Harry de Quetteville in Berlin | August 28, 2008

MAIL Online:
Russia Gives Two Fingers as It Continues to Stand Up to the West >>> | August 27, 2008

TIMESONLINE:
Cold War Tension Rises as Putin Talks of Black Sea Confrontation: A new Cold War between Russia and the West grew steadily closer yesterday after the Kremlin gave a warning about “direct confrontation” between American and Russian warships in the Black Sea.

Dmitri Peskov, a spokesman for Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister, declared that Russia was taking “measures of precaution” against American and Nato naval ships. “Let’s hope we do not see any direct confrontation in that,” he said.

Any attempt by countries in the West to isolate Russia would “definitely harm the economic interests of those states”, he said. >>> By Michael Evans, Defence Editor | August 28, 2008

THE GUARDIAN:
EU Threatens Sanctions against Russia: Leading European powers losing patience with Kremlin's sabre rattling in the Caucuses

European Union leaders are to discuss sanctions against Russia ahead of an emergency summit meeting, the French foreign minister said today, as the west hardened its position towards Moscow.

When asked what measures the west could take against Russia in the crisis over Georgia, Bernard Kouchner told a press conference in Paris: "Sanctions are being considered." >>> By Mark Tran, Julian Borger in Kiev, Ian Traynor in Brussels, and agencies | August 28, 2008

WELT ONLINE:
Russland aktiviert die Waffen des Kalten Krieges >>> Von Manfred Quiring | 28. August 2008

TOWNHALL.COM:
Farewell, NATO >>> By Victor Davis Hanson | August 28, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Dmitry Medvedev Claims Diplomatic Victory for Russia: President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia claimed to have won a diplomatic victory by securing the backing of China and key Central Asian states for its actions in Georgia and its breakaway regions >>> By Richard Spencer in Beijing | August 28, 2008

NZZ Online:
Russland sitzt auf verlorenem Posten: Asiatische Staaten fordern territoriale Integrität Georgiens

Russland ist mit seinem Vorgehen in Georgien bei seinen asiatischen Partnern in der Shanghaier Kooperationsorganisation (SCO) auf Ablehnung gestossen. Bei ihrem Gipfeltreffen in Duschanbe, der Hauptstadt Tadschikistans, verabschiedeten die Präsidenten aus sechs asiatischen Staaten eine Erklärung, in der sie die Anwendung militärischer Gewalt in Georgien verurteilen und die Achtung der territorialen Integrität eines jeden Staates fordern. >>> | 28. August 2008

BBC:
Georgia Breaks Ties with Russia: Georgia has decided to cut diplomatic ties with Russia, days after Moscow recognised the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions >>> | August 29, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

*Piotr Dutkiewicz' Opinion: How Russia Clobbered Georgia – and Lost the War
GLOBE AND MAIL: Some critics have pointed to the conflict in Georgia as another example of botched Bush administration foreign policy. But, in fact, America's real strategy was brilliantly executed, and it achieved exactly the intended outcome. Unfortunately, it's not an outcome that makes the world a safer place.

First, it's important to note that this dispute is not about Georgia or South Ossetia, both victims of collateral damage in geopolitical manoeuvring. It is not about Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili miscalculating the Russian response to his attack or overestimating the amount of support he would get from the West - Mr. Saakashvili is really just a colourful bit player. Nor is this entirely a case of an emboldened Russia striking back at the West for its support of Kosovo independence, or the Orange Revolution, or the Eastern European missile-defence shield, though all of these things are factors.

Simply put, this was about the U.S. depositioning the only globally significant country that consistently challenges it on foreign policy issues, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was a successful but wrongheaded attempt to undermine Russia's global status by setting a trap into which Russia had to fall. And it was about creating a villain for U.S. domestic political reasons.

The U.S. realized that, once pushed into this corner, Russia had no choice but to respond to the Georgian attack on its lawfully present peacekeepers and on South Ossetian civilians. Not to counterattack would have put Russia in an untenable position. It could not claim to be able to protect its friends, allies and satellites from foreign intervention. It would have reverted to the Russia of 20 years ago - largely irrelevant, a nonentity. How Russia Clobbered Georgia – and Lost the War >>> By Piotr Dutkiewicz | August 26, 2008

*Piotr Dutkiewicz is a former director of the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Canada) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Canada) >>>

Iran: Israel Too Vulnerable to Attack Iran
YNET NEWS: Revolutionary Guards commander says Tehran's ballistic capabilities act as deterrent to any Israeli strike, warns Iran's allies will also retaliate in event of attack

Israel would not dare launch an attack on Iran for fear of the Islamic Republic's missile array and the support of its Islamic allies in the region, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said on Wednesday.

"In the event of an attack against Iran, the Israelis know that with the capabilities that the Islamic world and the Shiite world have in the region, they will suffer deadly strikes," the Mehr news agency quoted Jafari as saying, in an apparent reference to Hizbullah.

"Our strategic assessment shows that if the Zionist regime took action, whether alone or with the United States, in minimal time all of its territory would be vulnerable because this country lacks strategic depth and lies within the range of Iranian missiles," Jafari said.

"Iran's ballistic capabilities are such that the Zionist regime, with all the means at its disposal, has no way of countering them," the general added.

Jafari's comments come as Tehran grows increasingly concerned of a possible Israeli raid on its nuclear facilities. Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued an overt warning to Iran earlier this week during his meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "Israel will not tolerate a nuclear Iran, and no options are being taken off the table," Barak told the secretary. Iran: Israel Too Vulnerable to Attack >>> By Dudi Cohen | August 27, 2008

YNET NEWS:
Iranian Cleric: Ahmadinejad a Major Threat: Religious leader tells German newspaper Iranian president betraying the people >>> Reuters | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Europe: Veils, Veils, and More Veils
YNET NEWS: Wealthy Muslims are proceeding to buy Europe, as well as its conscience

In the coming days, tens of thousands of Israelis will be returning from their vacations abroad. After they unpack their suitcases and take out the perfumes they bought at the duty-free store, and after the kids go back to school, memories of their trip overseas will resurface.

And among other things, what they will remember is this: Veils. Plenty of veils. Black veils made of simple cloth, expensive veils made of silk, long veils, and short veils.

Europe is putting on a veil over its face. For years now this has been the picture encountered by guests who arrive there for a brief moment (and who are more aware of these things) in the major streets of large cities, and also in small towns.

Yet it appears that an all-time record was broken this summer – but perhaps we are still far away from the record?

Money can buy almost anything

A common sight these days is a Filipino man following his veiled woman on the streets of Paris, London, Rome, and Berlin, while carrying her shopping bags. In large luxury stores, wealthy Muslim customers ask managers to keep other clients out of the store before proceeding to buy half of it, at times spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on one occasion. Muhammad is buying Europe. Opinion: The Veiled Continent >>> By Eitan Haber | August 27, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Saudi Woman Attacked on Board a Plane
ARAB NEWS: RIYADH: An Emirati man attacked a Saudi woman on board an Emirates flight from Frankfurt to Dubai, a report in Al-Eqtisadiah daily said yesterday.

The incident took place because of seating problems. The Saudi woman and her husband asked the Emirati family to move, which the Emiratis refused to do.

The Emirati man then attacked the Saudi woman causing injuries which resulted in her losing consciousness.

The woman’s husband and other passengers intervened to rescue the woman and a doctor on board called for landing in Istanbul in order to treat the woman.

The woman’s husband asked that the Emirati man be handed over to Turkish authorities but the plane crew refused his request.

The crew’s report of the incident said that the woman was attacked by her husband.

The Saudi woman’s husband said that after the crew admitted that the report provided false information, the Saudi Embassy in Ankara sent memos to both the Saudi Interior Ministry and the UAE Embassy in Ankara.

The husband expressed his disapproval of what happened, adding that his wife had done nothing to warrant such a violent reaction. A source at the Saudi Embassy in Ankara said that the incident happened but refused to give any further details.

The Saudi couple were returning to Saudi Arabia after spending their honeymoon in Germany, the local daily stated. [Source: Arab News] | August 27, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Bush : le geste de la Russie «irresponsable»
LE FIGARO: REACTIONS - Le président des Etats-Unis s'est insurgé, tout comme la communauté internationale, contre la reconnaissance par la Russie de l'indépendance de l'Abkhazie et de l'Ossétie du Sud.

La reconnaissance mardi par la Russie de l'indépendance des républiques séparatistes géorgiennes d'Abkhazie et d'Ossétie du Sud s'est heurtée à un front des pays occidentaux qui, à l'instar de Tbilissi, ont condamné une violation «inacceptable» du droit international.

Le président George W. Bush a dénoncé mardi la décision russe, avertissant Moscou qu'il devait «reconsidérer cette décision irresponsable». «Les Etats-Unis condamnent la décision du président russe de reconnaître les régions géorgiennes d'Ossétie du Sud et d'Abkhazie comme des Etats indépendants», a déclaré M. Bush dans un communiqué diffusé depuis son ranch de Crawford au Texas.

L'UE a «condamné fermement cette décision contraire aux principes d'indépendance, de souveraineté et d'intégrité territoriale de la Géorgie». La présidence française de l'UE, qui consulte ses partenaires afin de parvenir à une position commune au sommet extraordinaire de lundi, «appelle de ses voeux une solution politique des conflits en Géorgie». L'Union européenne va prendre «prendre des mesures» a déclaré mardi le ministre français des Affaires étrangères Bernard Kouchner, lors d'une audition sur l'Afghanistan à l'Assemblée nationale. «On a peur d'une guerre et on n'en veut pas» a -t-il déclaré le même jour sur France 2. Le chef de la diplomatie française a accusé les troupes russes de préparer «cette nuit» (dans la nuit de mardi à mecredi) un «nettoyage ethnique» d'Akhalgori, une ville d'Ossétie du Sud où vivent des Géorgiens, estimant que «cela n'est pas acceptable». Bush : le geste de la Russie «irresponsable» >>> | 26.08.2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché)
The Dawning of a new Dark Age (Relié)

White Muslim Convert Arrested over ‘Gordon Brown Assassination Plot’
THE TELEGRAPH: A white Muslim convert is being held by detectives investigating alleged threats to kill the Prime Minister and Tony Blair.

The 25-year-old man was arrested at a flat in the Whalley Range area of Blackburn, Lancs, shortly before 7am on Tuesday.

He is believed to be a friend of two other men arrested by counter-terrorism officers at Manchester Airport on August 14.

The pair, who had been about to board a flight to Finland, live less than 100 yards from the home of the suspect held on Tuesday.

A fourth suspect, also from Blackburn, was arrested in Church, near Accrington, shortly after the arrests at Manchester Airport.

All four men are being questioned about a posting on an Arabic website that often carries messages from senior members of al-Qaeda.

The message, written in English, allegedly included a threat to target "all the political leaders, especially Tony Blair and Gordan (sic) Brown".

It appeared only briefly on January 24 and purported to have been written by Shaykh Umar Rabie al-Khalaila, who described himself as "the leader of al-Qaeda in Britain".

The latest man to be arrested changed his name when he converted to Islam four years ago. White Muslim Convert Arrested over ‘Gordon Brown Assassination Plot’ >>> By Nigel Bunyan | August 26, 2008

MAIL Online:
Fifth Suspect Arrested over 'Islamic Internet Plot to Kill Gordon Brown' >>> By James Tozer | August 27, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Barack Obama ‘Ought to Be Shot’ Says Racist Plotter
THE TELEGRAPH: A man at the centre of a suspected assassination plot against Senator Barack Obama has said that the presidential candidate "ought to be shot" because of his colour.

The chilling threat by Nathan Johnson, 33, followed his arrest with two other men when an arms cache was found in a pick-up truck. The men, one of whom is said to have strong ties to the white supremacist movement, were last night under investigation and facing initial charges for illegal firearms possession.

Mr Johnson boasted in an interview with the CBS4 radio station in Denver that he and his friends Tharin Gartrell, 28, and Shawn Robert Adolph, 33, had discussed killing Mr Obama when he accepted the nomination of the Democratic party at a sports stadium on Thursday.

"He don't belong in political office," he said. "Blacks don't belong in political office. He ought to be shot."

US authorities moved quickly to state there had been "no credible" threat to Mr Obama's life and any plot the men had hatched had been "crude", while his advisers sought to play down the incident. "We're not commenting on security issues," said Anita Dunn, a senior aide.

But the Secret Service, FBI and the US Joint Terrorism Task Force are all investigating the alleged plot and more arrests could follow. Barack Obama ‘Ought to Be Shot’ Says Racist Plotter >>> By Toby Harnden in Denver | August 27, 2008

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
White against Black - The Hidden Issue in the US Presidential Campaign: McCain against Obama. Republican against Democrat. Old against young. There are a number of ways to define the ongoing battle for the White House. But the most important is getting short shrift: black against white >>> By Gerhard Spörl | August 27, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Hillary Clinton Tells Democratic Convention: 'I Am a Proud Supporter of Barack Obama' >>> By Toby Harnden in Denver | August 27, 2008

TOWNHALL.COM:
Another Radical Obama Association? >>> By Amanda Carpenter | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Dmitri Medwedjew: "Russland hatte keine andere Wahl als Krieg"
Video: Georgien fordert EU zum Handeln auf: Nach der Anerkennung der abtrünnigen georgischen Provinzen Abchasien und Südossetien durch Russland hat Georgiens Präsident Micheil Saakaschwili die Weltgemeinschaft zum Handeln aufgefordert >>>
WELT ONLINE: Russlands Präsident Medwedjew hat sein Vorgehen in der Kaukasus-Krise gerechtfertigt. Was für das Kosovo gelte, müsse auch für Südossetien und Abchasien gelten. Um Leben zu retten, habe Russland nach der georgischen Attacke keine Wahl gehabt, als in den Konflikt einzugreifen.

Der russische Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew hat die Anerkennung der Unabhängigkeit von Südossetien und Abchasien verteidigt. Mit Blick auf die Unabhängigkeit des Kosovos erklärte er in einem Beitrag für die Zeitung "Financial Times", bei internationalen Beziehungen könne man nicht "eine Regel für die einen und eine andere für die anderen" anwenden.

Nach der vom Westen unterstützten "unrechtmäßigen" Unabhängigkeitserklärung des Kosovos von Serbien sei es unmöglich gewesen, den Menschen in Südossetien und Abchasien zu erklären, dass das, "was gut für die Kosovo-Albaner war, nicht auch gut für sie sei". Dimitri Medwedjew: "Russland hatte keine andere Wahl als Krieg" >>> | 27. August 2008

DAILY EXPRESS:
Land-Grabbing Russians ‘Are the New Nazis’: RUSSIA was last night accused of acting like Nazi Germany by “annexing” the breakaway Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia >>> By Will Stewart in Moscow and Cyril Dixon | August 27, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Warum Gaddafis Sohn die Politik verlässt
Foto von Seif al-Islam dankt der Welt
WELT ONLINE: Er war mit der einzige, der den libyschen Revolutionsführer Muammar al-Gaddafi ungestraft kritisieren durfte: Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, Sohn des umstrittenen Potentaten. Der Westen hätte in ihm gerne Gaddafis Nachfolger gesehen. Doch Seif al-Islam gab seinen Rückzug aus der Politik bekannt – auf Druck seines Vaters.

Ob beim Friseur oder im Basar, in Damaskus, Beirut oder Rabat – wo immer man nach Muammar al-Gaddafi fragt, wird der Finger unter die Nase gehalten und das Schnupfen eines Kokainsüchtigen simuliert. Was der Mann von der Straße dem libyschen Revolutionsführer unterstellt, würde seinen unausgeschlafenen Eindruck sowie seine Unberechenbarkeit erklären.

Anfang August stoppte Gaddafi alle Öllieferungen an die Schweiz, nachdem dort einer seiner sechs Söhne wegen Misshandlung der eigenen Angestellten verhaftet worden war. Schweizer Firmen in Libyen, inklusive Nestlé, wurden geschlossen, zwei Schweizer Staatsbürger verhaftet.

Für Muammar Gaddafi ist das alles business as usual, schließlich diktiert er die Rechtsstaatlichkeit. Politisch Andersdenkende werden verfolgt, unliebsame Presseberichte bestraft und unabhängige Nichtregierungsorganisationen nicht zugelassen. Punkte, die Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, der zweitgeborene und politisch engagierte Sohn des Revolutionsführers – im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Libyern – ungestraft kritisierte.

Vergangene Woche hielt er in Sebah, einer Wüstensiedlung im Süden des Landes, eine seiner kritischen live im Fernsehen übertragenen Reden. Seif al-Islam forderte bessere Lebensbedingungen für die Bevölkerung, den Aufbau der nicht existenten Zivilgesellschaft, eine rechtschaffene Justiz und eine freie Presse. Obwohl es wie eine Wahlkampfrede klang, verkündete der 36-Jährige im Anschluss seinen Rückzug aus der Politik. Warum Gaddafis Sohn die Politik verlässt >>> Von Alfred Hackensberger | 26. August 2008

TIMESONLINE:
Gaddafi Son Says Lockerbie Families Were ‘Greedy’: Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's son has accused relatives of the Lockerbie bombing victims of "trading with the blood of their sons and daughters” in their demands for compensation.

Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, who is seen as the leading candidate to succeed his father as Libyan leader, said that the Lockerbie families were "very greedy” during negotiations over payouts for the deaths of loved ones.

Mr Gaddafi also told BBC2’s The Conspiracy Files that the Libyan government had only taken responsibility for Britain’s worst terrorist attack in order to get international sanctions lifted. >>> | August 29, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Medwedjew würde auch Kalten Krieg riskieren
Foto von Dmitri Medwedjew dank Google Images
WELT ONLINE: Jede Kritik perlt an ihm ab: "Wir haben vor nichts Angst", erwiderte Russlands Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew auf die scharfe Kritik des Westens an seiner Kaukasus-Politik. Auch einen Kalten Krieg mag er nicht ausschließen. Seiner Meinung nach hat Russland den Friedensplan erfüllt. Alles weitere hänge allein vom Westen ab.

Der russische Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew hat nach der Anerkennung der Unabhängigkeit von Abchasien und Südossetien die Standhaftigkeit seines Landes gegenüber dem Westen bekräftigt.

"Wir haben vor nichts Angst, auch nicht vor der Aussicht auf einen Kalten Krieg", sagte Medwedjew am Dienstag in einem Interview des englischsprachigen Fernsehsenders Russia Today. "Natürlich wollen wir das nicht", fügte der Staatschef hinzu. "Alles hängt von der Haltung unserer Partner, der Weltgemeinschaft und unserer Partner im Westen ab."

Auf die Frage, ob Russland auf die Konsequenzen seiner Anerkennung der beiden abtrünnigen georgischen Provinzen vorbereitet sei, sagte Medwedjew: „Wenn der Westen gute Beziehungen zu Russland aufrechterhalten will, wird er die Gründe für eine solche Entscheidung verstehen, und die Lage wird ruhig sein.“ Medwedjew würde auch Kalten Krieg riskieren >>> AFP/DPA/AP/FSL | 26. August 2008

LE FIGARO:
Medvedev n'a pas peur d'une nouvelle «guerre froide» >>> | 26. 08. 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Russia 'Ready for New Cold War' over Georgia: Russia has said it is prepared for a new Cold War, after President Dmitry Medvedev defied the West by formally declaring the independence of two Georgian rebel regions. Shredding any hope that his offensive in Georgia could be rolled back under an internationally agreed ceasefire, Mr Medvedev unilaterally redrew the map of the region by recognising the secession of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after meeting Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Mr Medvedev also gave warning Russia would go to any lengths to defend the enclaves. "We're not afraid of anything [including] the prospect of a Cold War," he said. "Russia is a state which has to ensure its interests along the whole length of its border. This is absolutely clear."

Speaking later about the deployment of a US anti-missile system close to Russian borders, Mr Medvedev said Moscow "will have to react somehow, to react, of course, in a military way." >>> By Adrian Blomfield in Tbilisi and Damien McElroy | August 27, 2008

GLOBE AND MAIL:
Russia Eyes Annexing Georgia, President Warns >>> By Jane Armstrong | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Margaret Thatcher’s View on Europe: The Bruges Speech
The following should in no way be construed as necessarily reflecting my own opinion on the European Union. I place this video and the following links here because the points raised by Baroness Thatcher in the lecture were worthy of serious consideration, and still are. - ©Mark


MARGARET THATCHER FOUNDATION:
The Bruges Speech in full >>>

THE BRUGES GROUP:
Bruges Revisited >>>

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Miliband Urges Russia to ‘Abide by Law’
BBC: Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said Russian recognition of Georgia's breakaway regions is "unjustifiable and unacceptable".

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has declared he formally recognises South Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence.

But Mr Miliband urged Russia to "abide by international law as the basis for resolving this crisis".

Moscow's move has been criticised by the US, France and Germany. Nato says it violates UN resolutions. UK Urges Russia to ‘Abide by Law’ >>> | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Micheline Calmy-Rey will Osama Bin Laden treffen
Foto von Micheline Calmy-Rey, die Außenministerin der Schweiz, dank dem Monde. In Teheran trug diese Politikerin einen Schleier beim Treffen Ahmadinejads
TAGES ANZEIGER: Die Schweizer Aussenministerin bricht ein diplomatisches Tabu: Sie möchte mit Osama Bin Laden Gespräche führen. Wo sie den Terrorfürsten finden will, verriet Micheline Calmy-Rey bisher nicht.

Spätestens seit dem Anschlag vom 11. September 2001 ist der Tenor in den westlichen Demokratien einhellig: mit Terroristen wird nicht verhandelt. Doch die Schweizer Aussenministerin will mit diesem Tabu brechen. Wie die französische Zeitung «Le Monde» berichtet, ist Aussenministerin Micheline Calmy-Rey bereit, «sich mit Osama Bin Laden an einen Tisch zu setzen und einen Dialog mit dem Terrorfürsten zu initiieren.»

Terroristen als wichtige «Mitspieler»

Calmy-Rey wäre damit die erste Ministerin eines demokratischen Landes, die sich mit dem Chef einer Terrororganisation an einen Tisch setzt. Die Schweizer Aussenministerin machte diese Aussage am Rande der Botschafterkonferenz in Bern. Sie hat in ihrer Eröffnungsrede für eine aktive Politik des Dialogs geworben. Gegenüber «Le Monde» präzisierte die Bundesrätin, die Schweiz müsse sich für einen aktiven Dialog engagieren - auch mit politischen Unpersonen. Organisationen wie die Hamas oder die Hizbollah oder die Farc würden zu terroristischen Mitteln greifen. Die Schweiz verurteile dies. Die Vertreter der Organisationen seien aber wichtige Mitspieler, wenn man Konflikte beenden wolle. Mit diesen Leuten zu verhandeln, heisse aber nicht, dass man ihre Taten entschuldigen und akzeptieren wolle. Micheline Calmy-Rey will Osama Bin Laden treffen >>> Von Hubert Mooser | 26. August 2008

LE MONDE:
La ministre des affaires étrangères suisse prête "à s'asseoir à la table de Ben Laden" >>> | 25. 08. 2008

AFP:
Switzerland Does Not Rule Out Talking to Osama bin Laden >>> | August 25, 2008

TAGES ANZEIGER:
CVP hat Calmy-Reys diplomatische Fehltritte satt: Aussenministerin Micheline Calmy-Rey soll vom Bundesrat an die Leine genommen werden. Allenfalls müsse sie das Departement wechseln. Das fordert CVP-Präsident Christophe Darbellay >>> 31. August 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché)
The Dawning of a new Dark Age (Relié)

As the West Sleeps, Islamists Work on Establishing a Worldwide Islamic State: Part 1
FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS: While we in the West sleep, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, is whispering in Arabic to hundreds of millions of Muslims how to establish Islamic states. In July he wrote two extensive columns (on July 13th and July 22nd) on the subject of the Islamic state in Arabic. Some Islamist apologists who remain ignorant of the threat of the Islamic state argue that the ascendancy of political Islam in the Muslim world is the better of “other evils” that could arise. Many Muslims and non-Muslims alike across the world, however, believe that it is self-evident that the ascendancy of political Islam will remain a significant security threat to the United States and to the West for decades to come as it has been so obviously so for anti-Islamist Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the Middle East.

This security threat is manifold. The attempt to create “Islamic” states which derive their laws from the theological interpretations of Islam and Sharia by clerics will always give rise to variant forms of internal and transnational movements which are supremacist in their worldview and thus justify various forms of terrorism against non-Muslims. Many in the state department believe that somehow Muslims are sentenced to live under the Islamist rule and rather governments which are pluralistic and are blind to a single religion are not possible under Muslims majority governments. Many of us would beg to differ. While this may be the line which the Muslim Brotherhood would like us to accept without debate, the reality is that a plurality if not a majority of Muslims refuse to subscribe to the religio-political collectivism of the Muslim Brotherhood and the now archaic concept of the Islamic state.

Up to this point, we have done very little in the public space to expose and engage the real ideological motives of the Muslim Brotherhood. The discourse over political Islam continues to grow but without reviewing source material and their discourse in Arabic we will make little headway. Some have been doing this but real time debate among Muslims is sparse to nonexistent over the subject of political Islam.

The English discourse over issues related to political Islam by the MB is hypocritically filtered for the Western audience. One need just review the MB’s English website and compare it to their Arabic website. They are not simple translations of one another. Same organization, same ultimate mission, very different messaging for very different fronts in the same conflict. A real debate over political Islam will only occur when we engage the ideas they present to their Arabic audience, as well. The English version of their message plays a mere peripheral cosmetic role based out of London. The Arabic version stems from deep within their soul and reflects their home base of operations. The major difference between them reflects their dissimulation and hypocrisy. Thus, true anti-Islamist activity must center on their deeply engrained ideologies which are expressed in Arabic. As the West Sleeps, Islamists Work on Establishing a Worldwide Islamic State: Part 1 >>> By M Zuhdi Jasser

Part 2 >>>

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
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Die Araber setzen über das Rote Meer
NZZ Online: Ein saudischer Geschäftsmann plant den Bau einer Brücke über die Meerenge zwischen der Arabischen Halbinsel und dem Horn von Afrika. Das Projekt mag utopisch erscheinen, doch Investoren aus dem Golf sind schon eifrig daran, ihre Geschäfte in Afrika auszubauen.

jbi. Djibouti, Ende Juli

Am 29. Juli ist in der kleinen ostafrikanischen Republik Djibouti das Projekt einer Brücke vorgestellt worden, welche die Meerenge von Bab al-Mandeb zwischen der Arabischen Halbinsel und dem Horn von Afrika überspannen soll. Initiator des Plans ist der in Dubai domizilierte Geschäftsmann Tarik bin Ladin, Spross einer Familie, die das grösste Bauunternehmen Saudiarabiens beherrscht, und Halbbruder des Kaida-Führers Usama bin Ladin. Neben dem Brückenschlag zwischen Asien und Afrika umfasst Tarik bin Ladins kühne Vision auch die Errichtung je einer «Stadt des Lichts» an den zwei Brückenköpfen in Jemen und Djibouti. Die beiden Städte sollen eine Freihandelszone bilden, in welcher Häfen, Flughäfen, Industrie, Dienstleistungsunternehmen, Hochschulen und kulturelle Institutionen die Entwicklung der ganzen Region – Djibouti und Jemen gehören zu den ärmsten Ländern der Welt – in Gang setzen sollen. Die Araber setzen über das Rote Meer: Saudischer Geschäftsmann plant Brücke über den Bab al-Mandeb >>> | 26. August 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Festnahmen nach möglichen Anschlags-Plänen gegen Obama
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Denver - Wegen mutmaßlicher Pläne für einen Anschlag auf den demokratischen Präsidentschaftsanwärter Barack Obama während des Parteitags in Denver sind nach Medienberichten vier Menschen festgenommen worden. Wie der lokale Fernsehsender CBS34 am Montag berichtete, sagte einer der Männer den Behörden, sie hätten Obama "von einem "geeigneten Punkt aus mit einem Gewehr erschießen" wollen.

Der Anschlag war angeblich für Donnerstag geplant, wenn Obama vor den Teilnehmern des Parteikonvents offiziell die Nominierung zum Präsidentschaftskandidaten annehmen soll. Festnahmen nach möglichen Anschlags-Plänen gegen Obama >>> | 26. August 2008

LE FIGARO: Un complot contre Obama 
déjoué à Denver ? : Selon une chaîne de télé américaine, un homme lourdement armé et deux autres personnes ont été arrêtés soupçonnés de vouloir s'en prendre au candidat démocrate à la Maison-Blanche. Le FBI enquête pour évaluer le sérieux de la menace >>> | 26.08.2008

THE TELEGRAPH: Plot to Kill Barack Obama: Three 'White Supremacists' Arrested: Three men with suspected links to white supremacist groups are in custody in Denver after being arrested with rifles and a telescopic sight amid fears of a plot to assassinate Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate >>> By Toby Harnden in Denver | August 26, 2008

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Democrats Divided by an Obama-Shaped Wedge: At the Democratic National Convention this week, it will become clear that the Democrats have a long way to go before they can speak of unity. The party is split into at least three factions >>> By Gabor Steingart | August 25, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Buchanan’s Viewpoint: Pushing Russia Into the Cold
TOWNHALL.COM: A year after taking power, in June 1934, Adolf Hitler made his first visit abroad -- to his idol Benito Mussolini in Venice.

Babbling on incessantly about "Mein Kampf "and the Negroid strain in Mediterranean peoples, the Fuhrer made a dismal impression.

"What a clown this Hitler is," Mussolini told an aide.

Two weeks later, Hitler executed the Roehm purge and murdered scores of old Stormtrooper comrades. In late July, Austrian Nazis, attempting a coup, assassinated Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, a friend of Mussolini whose wife and child were then his guests.

Il Duce ordered four divisions to the Brenner Pass and flew to Vienna to vent his rage and disgust with Hitler. He called a summit at Stresa with Britain and France to agree on military action should Hitler make any new move in violation of Versailles.
At the time, however, Il Duce was also plotting revenge on Abyssinia for a bloody border clash with Italian Somaliland.

Mussolini thought his Allies would understand if he invaded the Ogaden to add an African colony to his new Roman Empire, just as the British and French had so often done in previous decades.

Mussolini miscalculated. Morally outraged, Britain and France went before the League of Nations and had sanctions imposed on Italy that were too weak to defeat her but punitive enough to insult her.

Friendless, isolated and condemned as an aggressor by Europe, Italy and Mussolini had nowhere to turn now but Hitler's Germany.

Thus, over the fate of an Abyssinian slave empire, Britain drove her faithful World War I ally into the arms of a Nazi dictator Mussolini loathed and had wished to confront beside Britain. And Abyssinia was overrun.

Are we making the same mistake in the Caucasus?

Mikheil Saakashvili started this war with his barrage attack and occupation of South Ossetia. Russia's war of retribution was far less violent or excessive than the U.S. bombing of Serbia for 78 days over Kosovo, or our unprovoked war on Saddam Hussein's Iraq, which has brought death to scores of thousands, or Israel's 35 days of bombing of Lebanon for a border skirmish with Hezbollah.

Yet, declared John McCain of Russia, "In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations." Even Dick Cheney must have guffawed. Pushing Russia Into the Cold >>> By Patrick J Buchanan | August 26, 2008

THE GUARDIAN:
Georgian President Urges US and EU to Boycott Russia’s Winter Olympics: Mikheil Saakashvili calls for package of sanctions to punish Moscow for invading Georgia >>> By Luke Harding in Tbilisi | August 26, 2008

NZZ Online:
Die EU will den Druck auf Russland erhöhen: Der Georgien-Gipfel soll innereuropäische Differenzen beilegen >>> | 26. August 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
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Russia Mocks West’s Displeasure over War in Georgia

THE INDEPENDENT: The Kremlin has poured scorn on Western attempts to punish Russia for its invasion of Georgia, saying it was more than happy to be estranged from the international community.

The Kremlin on Monday said it was more than happy to be locked out of international institutions as it poured scorn on Western attempts to punish Russia over its invasion of Georgia.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, said he was not bothered if more than a decade of post Cold War rapprochement with Nato was halted altogether. "We are ready to accept any decisions up to halting relations altogether," he said. The president also issued a chilly warning to Moldova of a military response if it followed the Georgian example of trying to regain control of its own breakaway region of Transdniester, whose rebel leadership has long been backed by Russia.

The hard line approach was adopted by Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, who said he saw no merit in joining the World Trade Organization even though Russia has had an outstanding membership application since 1995. "We don't feel or see any advantages from membership, if they exist at all," he said.

While he did not formally abandon accession negotiations, Mr Putin announced that Russia was pulling out of commitments it had earlier signed that were seen as pre-requisites for membership. Russia Mocks West’s Displeasure over War in Georgia >>> By Adrian Blomfield in Gori and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | August 25, 2008

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One GREAT Lady!
Photo of the great Baroness Thatcher courtesy of El País
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Change What to What, Obama?
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama will lose the November election to John McCain unless he overhauls his message of change, outlines specific plans and reassures Americans that he is one of them, according to swing voters in Denver.

The results of a focus group held by Frank Luntz, the leading American pollster, on the eve of the Democratic convention should sound alarm bells for the Obama campaign after a month in which Mr McCain, the Republican, has drawn level in the polls.

"The way that he gets here to the Democratic nomination - 'change' - is not how he gets there, to the White House," said Mr Luntz. "If it's change, by itself, he will fail. Change what? Change how? Change why?" Mr Luntz is a Republican but his work on focus groups is respected on both sides of the aisle.

Some 21 carefully-selected undecided voters were gathered in a conference room in a downtown skyscraper. Observed by The Daily Telegraph and a small group of other media through a one-way mirror, they were grilled by Mr Luntz about their views of the candidates in a two-hour session.

Although 12 said they had voted for President George W. Bush in 2004, not a single person described themselves as a Republican - bad news for Mr McCain, who has to shake off his party label to claim victory.

But these undecideds were willing to separate their disdain for the Republican party from the individual candidates. The one-word descriptions of Mr Obama showed he has mountain to climb to overcome the doubts of these swing voters in the swing state of Colorado - a top Democratic target in November. Message of Change Will Doom Barack Obama, Swing Voters Warn >>> By Toby Harnden in Denver | August 25, 2008

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Backs Ahmadinejad for Another Term in Office
BBC: Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has urged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to prepare for a second term in office amid fierce criticism.

The ayatollah praised the president for "standing up" to the West and predicted he would be returned to office for four more years at the 2009 election.

Critics accuse Mr Ahmadinejad, a foreign policy hardliner, of failing to control inflation and unemployment.

Such public backing from the ayatollah for a president is rare, analysts say.

Mr Ahmadinejad, who won the 2005 presidential election, has caused controversy abroad by calling for the destruction of Israel and pressing ahead with uranium enrichment. Iranian Leader Backs Ahmadinejad >>> | August 24, 2008

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Finding the World’s Most Beatiful Nuns
Audrey Hepburn plays Sister Luke in The Nun’s Story (1959)
MAIL Online: An Italian priest wants nuns across the world to flaunt it in the name of beauty.

Reverend Antonio Rungi, of Mondragone, near Naples, has come up with a novel way of enticing young people back to the church.

He has organised a beauty contest open only to nuns, to give them more visibility within the Catholic church, and to fight the stereotype that they are old and dour.

It would run online at first, but Reverend Rungi is hopeful that it will one day take off in the real world alongside the all-singing and all-dancing Miss Italia competition.

He said it would give nuns from around the world a chance to showcase their work and image. 'Miss Sister 2008': Web Vote to Find World's Most Beautiful Nuns >>> | August 25, 2008

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Sixteen-Year-Old Qatari Boy Dies after Tragic Race Attack by Thugs in Hastings
Photo of Mohammed Al Majed courtesy of MAIL Online
MAIL Online: A murder probe is under way after a foreign student aged 16 died in hospital following a 'racial' attack.

The boy, who was visiting Britain from Qatar in the Middle East, was attacked by a mob outside a kebab shop in Hastings, East Sussex.

He suffered serious head injuries in the late-night attack on Friday and died last night at King's College Hospital in London.

Sussex Police said the fight happened outside the USA Fried Chicken and Kebab House near the seafront in Hastings on Friday night.

The youngster was rushed to hospital and later transferred to the King's College Hospital, London, where he died late on Sunday night. Wealthy Arab Student, 16, Dies after Race Attack by Gang of Thugs in Seaside Town >>> | August 25, 2008

SUSSEX EXPRESS:
Student murdered in race attack: Three men arrested and bailed >>> By Laura Button | August 25, 2008

TIMESONLINE:
Student Is Beaten to Death Outside Kebab Shop in Hastings >>> By Lucy Bannerman | August 26, 2008

BBC:
Arab Warning after ‘Racist Death’: The uncle of a student who died after a suspected racially-motivated attack on the south coast has said Arabs should not send their children to England.

Mohammed Al-Majed, 16, suffered a serious head injury outside a takeaway in Hastings and died two days later.

Ghazi Abdullah al-Majed told the BBC his nephew had complained about hostility towards Arabs in the town.

But community leaders, who held discussions in Hastings on Thursday, said it was safe for foreign visitors.

Mr al-Majed said Mohammed was worried about his safety before the attack on 22 August.

"He said people were not treating him very well, he said 'they don't like Arabs'. >>> | August 28, 2008

Watch BBC video: The council is keen to repair the town's image >>>
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Court to Consider Divorce for 8-Year-Old Girl
NEWS.COM.AU: A SAUDI court will next month hear a plea for divorce from an eight-year-old girl married off by her father to a man in his fifties, the Arabic-language daily Al-Watan reported today.

It said the girl's mother had filed the divorce case with the court at Unayzah 220km north of Riyadh, and cited lawyer Abdullah Jtili as saying the father had arranged the marriage without telling the girl.

"She doesn't know yet that she has been married,'' added Jtili of the girl who is about to begin her fourth year at primary school.

Al-Watan said relatives of the girl had told a Saudi rights group of her plight and urged it to intervene to have the marriage annulled.

But the daily also reported that the husband had refused to renounce the marriage, saying that he had not done anything illegal.

Arranged marriages involving pre-adolescents are occasionally reported in the Arabian Peninsula, including in the ultra-conservative Saudi kingdom where the strict conservative Wahabi version of Sunni Islam holds sway and polygamy is common.

In Yemen in April, another girl aged eight was granted a divorce after her unemployed father forced her to marry a man of 28. [Source: Court to Consider Divorce for 8-Year-Old Girl]

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